Back in the Saddle Again

This morning I crossed paths with a woman who has taught first grade for many years in our hometown.  It would be interesting to know how many lives she has touched, doing what she loves to do. . .teach.  She had retired, but a pressing need for more teachers brought her out of retirement.  As I asked how it felt to be back at it again, she replied it was good. 

Doing what one loves to do reminds me of a conversation we had with a pastor in his 70's.  He said he is often asked when he is going to retire.  His response was, "As far as I can see, pastors who retire end up looking for a place to preach shortly after doing so.  I've got a place to preach, so why retire?"

Banking was a part of my life for 32 years.  About 2 1/2 years ago it felt like time to end my career.  Life has been good, and I have enjoyed the freedom of not answering daily to a 9 to 4 job.  (I know, banker's hours!)  For the third summer I have enjoyed a little hobby garden.  Most days I find time to stop by my precious aunt's home.  She is also my godmother and, at 93, is my inspiration and hero in life.   Not having to work has given me the opportunity to sing with a group of people who provide music at our assisted living center and nursing home.  The freedom of being available when my daughter needs help with the grandkids is priceless.  Retired I am, but certainly not bored!

As I consider "doing what one loves to do" it reminds me I have been neglecting one of my loves. . .writing.  Our winter season in Bismarck with the ND Legislature is in the past, and the busy summer will soon come to an end.  Perhaps it is time to get "back in the saddle again". 

How about you?  Are you working or retired?  Are you doing what you love to do?  They say if you are doing what God created you to do, you will find joy in the task.  My husband often asks when I think he should retire.  My response usually comes in the form of a song. . ."We'll work 'til Jesus comes, we'll work 'til Jesus comes, we'll work 'til Jesus comes and we'll be gathered home".  The way things are unfolding these days, it may be sooner than we think!

Lots of "running around" filled my morning today, although my legs didn't do any work.  I chose to drive the car as I went from place to place, even though our community is small and I normally could walk the route easily.  The problem has been dealing with smokey air blown in from the fires in Saskatchewan, and possibly Montana and Washington, too.  It gets into the jet stream and makes its way to invade our space, which is not a good thing for someone like me who deals with asthma.

Heading home after the last stop there was a peppy song playing on the radio.  The title was "Something Beautiful", sung by Steven Curtis Chapman.  As I listened I found myself remembering the "Broken" message God gave me earlier this week.

Here are the lyrics and options to play a sample or purchase:
                

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  Something Beautiful

  Steven Curtis Chapman

  from the album The Glorious Unfolding
  

  Buy on Amazon | iTunes

  Play sample

  I see you sitting over there with your head in your hands
  And the mess life's made of your best laid plans
  You really want to shake your fist
  But you don't know who to blame
  Well, you can blame yourself or the man upstairs
  Or the guy on the screen who says he cares
  But all the shame and the blame won't change a thing
  What's done is done
  But grace has just begun
  
  And God says
  I'm gonna turn it into something different
  I'm gonna turn it into something good
  I'm gonna take all the broken pieces
  And make something beautiful like only I could
  So put it all in the hands of the Father
  Give it up, give it all over to
  The only One who can turn it into
  Something beautiful
  Something really beautiful
  
  We know the world got broke when it took the fall
  And here we are living in the middle of it all
  Longing, waiting for the day when everything's restored
  But the best of the beauty that we get to SEE
  While we're living down here in this “yet to be”
  Is to watch God take the most broken things
  And to hear Him say
  “When I get through, you're gonna be amazed”
  
  ‘Cause I'm gonna turn it into something different
  I'm gonna turn it into something good
  I'm gonna take all the broken pieces
  And make something beautiful like only I could
  So put it all in the hands of the Father
  Give it up, give it all over to
  The only One who can turn it into
  
  Something beautiful
  Something beautiful
  Something beautiful
  Put all the pieces in His hands
  And watch Him turn it into something beautiful
  
  God's gonna turn it into something different
  He's gonna turn it into something good
  He's gonna take all the broken pieces
  And make something beautiful like only He could
  So put it all in the hands of the Father
  Give it up, give it all over to
  The only One who can turn it into
  Something beautiful
  Something really beautiful
  Something beautiful
  Something really beautiful

Broken

On the list of things to do today was trying to make the backyard more orderly.  An old picnic table on which I had potted plants sat haphazardly on one side, and the coordinating benches were stacked next to each other across the yard.  Here and there were reminders of the yard work I'd been doing, but never completely finished.  The lawnmower was sitting out.  Yes, today was the day.

It seemed like the easiest thing to tackle was rolling the lawnmower back into the garage.  Angling through the walk in door I discovered the car was parked too far forward and space was limited.  Several chairs being stored were shuffled until what I thought was a clear path formed.  Just a few tweaks and it would be through.  Then it happened.  CRASH!!  SMASH!!  SHATTER!!

Our son recycles pop cans and removes the opener tabs before crushing them.  A glass jar which once held spaghetti sauce had been recycled into a container for the tabs.  Said glass jar was now on the cement floor in a million pieces.  My mission to organize the backyard had instantly turned down a new path.

Picking up the largest chunks of glass, I then sought out a new container for the tabs, finding one which would not be as susceptible to breakage.  Carefully I picked out the tabs from the splinters of glass, finishing with a good sweeping.  As I worked, I grumbled.  "Okay, God, just why did THAT have to happen?  I was finally feeling ambitious, and now my precious time is being wasted cleaning up a mess!"

In the quiet of my inner spirit, I gently heard the Holy Spirit communicating God's reply.  "Now you know what I feel like, My child.  At one time I created a perfect world and everything was in order.  It didn't seem too much to require one small rule, and My newly created children chose to disobey.  In an instant, just like your jar, my world became broken.  Slowly and patiently over the years, I have been attempting to restore order to this world, but sadly, once broken it can never be put back together in the same way."

Humbling.  I had never quite thought of it in this light before.  But suddenly it made sense.  As I completed my task and placed the tabs in the new plastic container, I received another message.  "Yes, My child, someday there will be a new world for you, too.  It will be a world free of the risk of being broken.  We aren't there yet, but it is coming.  Have patience, My child.  I love you and will see you through until such day arrives.  Until then, just trust I'm working on it!"

"F" is for Father & More

With Father's Day once again upon us, my mind drifts to growing up years.  How thankful I am for a father who was there for our family.  He was hard working as a farmer, and yet took time for quick getaways to fun places like Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills and Glacier National Park.  A nice day wasn't always for getting the job done, but also sometimes to take advantage of an opportunity to fly his family across the state to visit his brother's family, or even just to Bismarck for a piece of pie at the airport lunch counter.

The letter "F" seemed to dominate my memories.  Father, farmer, flying, fun.  As my thoughts continued, even more "F" words came to mind. . .faithful, friend, and fighter.  Although his farming profession kept him busy, there was never any doubt he would be there for us at the end of the day.  He had a friendly personality, one which sought to find the good in people and give them a helping hand if he could.  As for being a fighter, it took battling a quadruple bypass surgery, a stroke and prostate cancer before the cancer moving into his bones finally took him at the age of 72.

It seems as history unfolds, there are fewer and fewer families who are blessed to have a father such as mine.  They say a girl often marries someone like their father, and I'm grateful to have found an equally faithful man who became the father of our two children.  We are also blessed by the fact our daughter found a husband of strong character who is the father of our grandchildren.

There are many in this world, however, who do not have such a story to share.  For some, there was no father in the picture.  Others may have had an abusive father, or one who placed family on the bottom of his priority list.  I'm not sure why I was one of the fortunate ones, but you can be sure I count my blessings often!

Whatever your Father's Day memories might hold, be sure to remember you also have a Heavenly Father who longs to have a personal relationship with you.  He speaks lovingly to you through His Word and patiently waits for each of His children to "come home".

 

Blessed

As a Christmas gift this year, I received two pairs of socks from my son.  One pair had the words "I am awesome" printed across the toe and the other said, "I am blessed".  They are very comfortable socks and are my first pick if available in the sock drawer.  At one point this winter, I unfortunately threw the "blessed" socks in a load of towels which included a red dishtowel.  Instead of white, they are now pink!

Because I had shown my son the socks in a holiday flyer put out by our local drugstore, I decided to see if they had any more available, and purchased two additional pairs to have on hand when I need to be reminded how blessed I am.  Actually, I don't need much of a reminder.  All I have to do is take a quick evaluation of my life and the blessings are abundantly there to count.

As I'm counting, I find myself looking around and seeing so many others who are less fortunate and wonder, "Who am I to be so blessed?  What did I do to deserve so much when others have little?"  To these questions I have no answers.  Instead, a prayer of thankfulness seems to be the only appropriate response.

Looking back on my life, some blessings have come from choices I've made, but the majority of them were simply plopped in my lap by a Sovereign God who reigns over us all.  In Acts 17:26 we find the following exposition from Paul to the men of Athens:

"From one man God made every nation of men,

that they should inhabit the whole earth;

And He determined the times set for them

and the exact places where they should live."

 

In essence, Paul was telling the people it wasn't just "happenstance" they were living in the time period they were, and furthermore, even the exact places they were living had been determined by God long before when He set into motion His plan for the human race.  It can be mind boggling to think of all the people who have walked this earth, and yet, according to this verse, God had each one in mind from the beginning, and going back to the King James Version, "exact places" becomes "bounds of habitation". 

 

It takes looking at the next verse to figure out what God's purposes were in doing this.  In verse 27 we read:

 

"God did this so that men would seek Him

and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him,

though He is not far from each one of us."

 

At the top of my blessings list would be the fact I was born into a Christian home and surrounded by people who modeled a positive lifestyle for me.  Although each of us is given free will to choose, it certainly helps to be encouraged to walk the "straight and narrow" from an early age.  As far back as I can remember I have had the assurance of "Jesus Loves Me" ringing in my soul, and have made an effort to pass the same message on to my children, grandchildren and all who God brings across my path.

 

How about you?  Are you walking a road of blessings today, or is life more of a struggle?  As I said, I have no understanding of how the blessing basket is being distributed.  I only know God's desire is for each of us to reach out and find Him.  A poem comes to mind, one written by Annie Johnson Flint:  

God hath not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

 God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

 God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

 

Thankfully, one of God's greatest blessings is the promise of a time to come where problems simply will not exist.  All the wrongs will be righted and evil will no longer have power to rule over us.  If your blessings list seems to be lacking at the present time, cling to this promise and know as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you!  (James 4:8)  For now, there will be an enemy trying to block the way, but remember, "Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4) and in the end, those on God's side will reign victorious!

 

 



 

 

The Effectual, Fervent Prayer

There is a Bible verse which has been crossing my mind often over the course of the last several days.  Actually, it is the second half of James 5:16, which says, "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous [wo]man avails much".  You see, today is my mother-in-law's birthday and in my books she is a living example of the truth contained in this verse.

It was in my plan to do a writing about this wonderful woman who raised my husband, but prior to getting around to it, I noticed my daughter had already written an entry in her blog which clearly expressed much of what I wanted to say.  I hope you will take the time to read it at this link:   http://buildingourfamilyinchrist.blogspot.com/2015/05/her-greatest-contribution.html

Next to my computer keyboard is taped a little clipping from a magazine.  It has been there for a long time.  It features someone writing about their grandmother, and reads as follows:

"Her last days were days of almost continued praying.  And the burden of her prayer then was, as it had previously been, that her posterity might be a godly seed even to the last generation."  Writing to a cousin, Adelia said:  "Have you heard your father tell how she used to pray for her descendants to the end of time?'

Someone took a record of the family and found that in 1857, 300 direct descendants of this godly woman were members of the church.  In another letter Miss Fiske said, "I often think I may be receiving blessings in answer to her prayers, for I know she prayed for her children's children for all coming time."

The writing was placed there for a reason.  It is a reminder of the fact I, too, have an obligation to future generations to be a woman of prayer.  The edges of the paper are a bit ragged, and the paper is showing signs of aging, but it will remain as a special challenge to be faithful in joining the ranks of people who are faithful with their effectual, fervent prayers.

As our family celebrated this past week-end, I found myself asking why it was we are so blessed.  What began as a family with 10 children has mushroomed to a total headcount of 105.  Looking around the room as 82 of the 105 gathered to honor our matriarch for her 84th birthday, I realized we had much to be thankful for.  It was obvious our blessings were part of the "much" which availed from her prayers.

My own heritage includes many who prayed effectual, fervent prayers, as well.  One doesn't have to look far, however to find those who were not given this blessing.  If this is the case in your life, instead of feeling left out, be the one to start a new trend in your family tree.  Be the one who starts a line of generations who receive benefits from the prayers you offer. 

Happy Birthday, Ardis!

Thank you for your many prayers!!   

Looking back. . .

At the end of this another Mother's Day, I smile at the fact there was time for two special gatherings.  The first was at the home of my mother-in-law and included a great meal with 6 of her 10 children present, as well as a few grandchildren and great grandchildren, too.  About mid-afternoon our son joined us as we drove the hour to Williston to be with our daughter and her family.  We checked out the new "Culvers" restaurant and enjoyed being together.  It has been a good day, yet would not be complete without a tribute to the one I called, "Mom".  Instead of writing something new this year, I am sharing some writings from the past.  What a blessing she was in my life!

 

05/10/08 Memories Of Mom

It's that special time of year when our attention turns to those who answer to the name of “Mom”. My own role in that capacity began just over 29 years ago with the birth of our daughter, Rebekah. Three years later our son, Ryan, came into the picture. Back then, my mother lived close by, helping me get used to the role and providing an excellent example to follow. What we didn't know then was how short a time we would have her with us. God took her from this life at the age of 68, leaving a void I am especially reminded of when Mother's Day rolls around each year.

Just this week I came across a Bible presented to her by her own mother at the time she was a sophomore in high school. As I looked through the pages, I noticed there were various verses highlighted. It was interesting to find many of the passages are among my favorites, as well. Romans 8:28 was one of the passages. It reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”. Having lost her father at the age of eleven, and her only sister when she was sixteen, this verse likely gave her the assurance of the fact, even in the hard times of our lives, God is present and working. It is a lesson I have clung to often in my life, even when God took Mom from us so unexpectedly. 

Another passage, Psalm 121, had markings by the words, “My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth” and “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Years after her death, these verses would be ones her granddaughter would choose to teach her little boy at a time he was frightened. What a blessing to see how God's Word remains constant and true through the years.

As you approach Mother's Day, take time to remember your mom. If she is close by, make time for a visit and an extra hug. If she lives far away, be sure to call and let her know how special she is. If you are like me, and Mom has moved on to a new life, take the opportunity to thank God for the years you were given with her. Although she may be gone from this life, think of her as a part of the “great host of witnesses” cheering you on. Know as she does, she looks forward to the day you will once again be together.

 

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05/12/12 Happy Mother's Day!

Once a year a special day rolls around, bringing with it a mixture of emotions. Mother's Day means celebrating the fact there are two people in this world who call me “Mom”. My husband and I were blessed to have first a daughter and then a son. Lots of memories come to mind, and it's fun to page through the photo albums documenting them. Today we were able to gather as a family, to which our son-in-law, two grandsons and a granddaughter have been added. We are counting down the days to the arrival of grandbaby #4, and our daughter indicated she thought Mother's Day would be a fine day to have a baby. Although the official due date isn't until May 31, anyone who is a mother can relate to those cumbersome last few weeks of a pregnancy.

At the same time we are basking in the joy of being family, my mind wanders to another time and another place when I was a little girl and another woman was “Mommy”. I see myself sitting on a stool at the end of the kitchen counter, “helping” with the baking projects. Other times the same stool was my perch while Mom patiently combed the tangles out of my long hair. Inch by inch she would tenderly separate a section and gently comb it smooth. This, in turn, makes we wonder just how many times her fingers worked their magic in forming a long braid on either side of my head before sending me off to school or out to play. Growing up on a farm gave me lots of opportunity to explore and stretch my imagination, and Mom was always there to cheer me on.

As others talk about what to get their mothers, I'm reminded it has been over 20 years since I've had the opportunity to celebrate Mother's Day with mine. God took her home in 1992 at the age of 68. In my opinion, this was far too young, but someday I'm sure He will be able to explain how it fit into His divine plan. I'm thankful my mother planted in me a faith which looks forward to one day being reunited with her in a heavenly realm far beyond this life as we know it here on earth. Somehow I can picture her being able to watch as our lives unfold, and sense she can still hear when I need to talk something out or quietly express, “I love you, Mom!” and “Thanks for all you did for me over the years!”

Tomorrow I will thank God for the mother He gave me. At the same time I will thank Him for the children who are the reason I can claim the title for myself. With the role comes many challenges, but far more blessings. I will remember the advice of a mother who claimed every day was a new opportunity to ask Jesus into your life, and seek to live, as she did, daily for Him. “Happy Mother's Day, Mom!”

 

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05/11/13 Bittersweet

Once a year it rolls around, and once again the feelings rage battle in my soul. For over twenty years now I've had to celebrate Mother's Day without having a mother to hug, call, or buy a gift and card for. While others are struggling to figure out what to get their mother, I can only wish mine were here so I could have the privilege once again. The best I can do is look at pictures and remember the wonderful woman she was, and the
amazing impact her life had on mine.

 

She was only 68 when God took her from us, and looking back, there are so many questions I could have asked about her life. At the time, however, I was busy raising my own children, and the opportunity never seemed to present itself. Besides, her grandmother had lived to be 101, and her mother was still going strong in her 90's. Who would have ever thought her life span would be cut so short.

 

Although she is not present in body, so often I sense her near, cheering me on when days are tough and rejoicing with me as I watch my own family grow. Planted here and there in my life are reminders of who she was. Each time I bake, I think of her as I smell the vanilla bottle. It was a ritual we went through every time I “helped” her bake as a child. I also have the aluminum containers she used for storing flour and sugar, as well as the glass juicer for doing lemons, and often wonder how many times her hands used them before they became a part of my kitchen. When I'm folding pillowcases or sewing on a button, I remember the careful way she taught me to do it “just right”. Many people have told me I look like my mom, but I especially see her in my hands. God also passed on quite a number of her features through me to my daughter, and there are times I find myself smiling as I catch a glimpse of Mom in her.
 

And so tomorrow I will enjoy the sweetness of having my children and grandchildren with me. We will enjoy time with Bert's mother and more of the family as we celebrated this day we call “Mother's Day”. If it is like most years, there will be lots of smiles and laughter, but for a few minutes I will find myself alone, wiping a tear from my eye as I think of Mom and tell her in spirit how much I still love her. One of these years, we will once again be able to celebrate together. Until then, I will thank God for the years we had together here on earth, and strive to follow the example she left me of what it is to be a godly woman.

There is a passage in the Bible which is often referred to as “The virtuous woman”. You can find it at the end of the book of Proverbs, chapter 31 and verses 10-31. Much of the description matches who my mother was, and because of this she was loved and respected by many in our community and beyond. Why God chose her to be the one to give me life, I'm not sure. It was a blessing which has helped me throughout my life, and given me the determination to be the kind of person she was. So along with my “Happy Mother's Day, Mom!” I will also say “Thank You, God, for blessing me with her!”

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 05/10/14 Perspective

So often over the past week, the reminders have been there. . .special cards, bouquets of flowers and countless ideas of items one might purchase to honor your mom for Mother's Day. Although it is a special time to celebrate with my own children and grandchildren, it is also a time I find myself mourning the fact I no longer have to purchase them, as my mother left this earth at the age of 68, back in 1992.

Each year, as the day approaches, I find myself looking for other women to honor. There are two aunts remaining in my family tree. One is my dad's sister, and the other is the wife of my mother's brother. Both were a very special part of my growing up years, and continue to be mentors and friends in my life. 

Another special mom in my life is my mother-in-law, who always has enough room for one more to love. With nine of her ten children married, the family count is nearing the one hundred mark. I recently came across a letter she wrote to me following the death of my mother. She acknowledged the fact she could never replace my dear, precious mother, but assured me she would be there for me if ever I needed a “pep talk or whatever” and to let her know where she could be of help. One cannot count the number of times I have taken her up on this offer.

When thinking of special mothers, my best friend also comes to mind. Together we faced learning the ropes of motherhood, and now we are both blessed to be grandmothers. Although she lives in the next state, it is comforting to know she is only a phone call away whenever there are joys or sorrows to be shared.

Today, as I was once again thinking of my own mother, it came to mind how young I was at the time of her unexpected death. She died four days after an aneurysm in her brain burst. Doing the math, I was only 35 when she passed away. Interestingly, this is the age my daughter is now. A little more math, and I determined my mother was 33 at the time I was born, which is my son's current age. It gave me a new perspective on her life, as I considered it in relation to the present ages of my own children.

Why is it some lives are cut short and others, like my grandmother and great grandmother, are allowed to extend past the century mark? At the time of my mother's death, I found myself asking the question “Why?” repeatedly and often. At the same time, it was my mother who had raised me to walk in faith with God and to live by the words of the Bible. Therefore, who was I to question His sovereignty and the span of life given her? Psalm 139:16 reminded me all the days planned for her were written in God's book before even one of them came to be.

A song which gave me comfort during the days following my mother's death is one entitled, “When Answers Aren't Enough”. It was written by Scott Wesley Brown and Greg Nelson. To this day, I like to share the words with people who have experienced a sudden and unexpected loss. Perhaps they are words you can use today, or tuck them away for a point in time they will speak to your heart. Meanwhile, if your mother is still with you, be sure to let her know how special she is and how much she is loved. As for me, I will be asking Jesus to deliver my Mother's Day love!

You have faced the mountains of desperation, you have climbed, you have fought, you have won.

But this valley that lies coldly before you, casts a shadow you cannot overcome.

And just when you think you had it all together, you knew ev'ry verse to get you through,

But this time all the sorrow broke more than just your heart, and reciting all those verses just won't do.

When answers aren't enough, there is Jesus.

He is more than just an answer to your prayer.

And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge.

When answers aren't enough, He is there.

Instead of asking, “Why did it happen?”

Think of where it could lead you from here.

And as your pain is slowly easin', you can find a greater reason

To live your life triumphant through the tears.

When answers aren't enough, there is Jesus.

He is more than just an answer to your prayer.

And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge.

When answers aren't enough, He is there.